A large study of over 6,600 older adults found that people who eat more healthy plant-based foods report feeling better physically and mentally. Researchers looked at what people ate and asked them about their quality of life. Those who ate the most plants had about 15% better physical health and 12% better mental health compared to those who ate fewer plants. Interestingly, the benefits seemed to work independently of inflammation levels in the blood, suggesting that plant-based diets help our wellbeing through multiple pathways, not just by reducing inflammation.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether eating a diet rich in healthy plant-based foods is connected to older adults feeling better physically and mentally, and whether reducing inflammation in the body explains this connection.
  • Who participated: 6,635 older adults with an average age of 65 years from the Netherlands who were part of a long-term health study. A smaller group of 2,251 participants also had their blood inflammation levels measured.
  • Key finding: Older adults who ate the most healthy plant-based foods had 15% higher chances of reporting good physical health and 12% higher chances of reporting good mental health compared to those eating fewer plants. People eating unhealthy plant-based foods (like processed vegan snacks) had worse outcomes.
  • What it means for you: Eating more whole plant foods like vegetables, fruits, beans, and whole grains may help you feel better and enjoy life more as you age. This appears to work through multiple ways, not just by reducing body inflammation. However, this study shows a connection, not proof that plants cause better health.

The Research Details

This was a cross-sectional study, which means researchers looked at a large group of people at one point in time and compared their eating habits to how they felt. The researchers used food frequency questionnaires—basically detailed surveys asking people what they typically eat—to measure how much people followed a plant-based diet. They separated plant-based eating into two types: healthy plant-based (lots of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, beans) and unhealthy plant-based (processed vegan foods, refined grains, sugary drinks). They then asked participants to complete a quality of life survey called the RAND-36, which measures both physical health (like energy and ability to do activities) and mental health (like mood and emotional wellbeing). For a smaller group, they also measured inflammation markers in the blood.

This research approach is important because it looks at real-world eating patterns in a large, diverse group of older adults rather than forcing people to follow strict diets in a lab. By measuring both physical and mental quality of life, the study captures how diet affects overall wellbeing, not just single health markers. The inclusion of inflammation measurements helps researchers understand whether the benefits come from reducing inflammation or through other mechanisms.

This study has several strengths: it included a large number of participants (over 6,600), used validated questionnaires that have been tested in other research, and looked at both men and women. However, because it’s cross-sectional, we can’t prove that eating plants causes better health—it could be that people who feel better are more motivated to eat healthy. The study was conducted in the Netherlands, so results may not apply equally to all populations. The smaller sample size for inflammation measurements (2,251) means those findings are less certain.

What the Results Show

The main finding was clear: older adults who ate the most healthy plant-based foods had significantly better quality of life. Specifically, those with the highest adherence to a healthy plant-based diet had 15% greater odds of reporting high physical quality of life and 12% greater odds of reporting high mental quality of life. In contrast, those eating the most unhealthy plant-based foods (processed vegan products, refined grains, sugary plant-based drinks) had 16% lower odds of high physical quality of life and 13% lower odds of high mental quality of life. This suggests that not all plant-based eating is equal—the type of plants matters significantly. The benefits were seen in both men and women, though the study didn’t break down differences between genders.

An interesting secondary finding was that inflammation levels in the blood (measured by a marker called hsCRP) were independently associated with quality of life. However, inflammation did not explain the connection between plant-based eating and feeling better. This means that eating healthy plants helps people feel better through multiple pathways, not just by reducing inflammation. The researchers found an additive effect, meaning both eating plants and having lower inflammation contribute separately to better quality of life, rather than one mechanism working through the other.

This study builds on earlier research showing that plant-based diets improve quality of life in adult women, extending these findings to older adults of both sexes. Previous research suggested that the anti-inflammatory properties of plants might explain these benefits, but this study shows the picture is more complex. The findings align with other research showing that plant-based diets are associated with better health outcomes, but add new information about quality of life specifically in older populations.

This study cannot prove that eating plants causes better quality of life because it only looked at people at one point in time. People who feel better might naturally choose to eat healthier, or other factors (like exercise or social connections) might explain both the eating patterns and the quality of life. The study relied on people remembering what they ate, which can be inaccurate. Results come from a Dutch population, so they may not apply equally to other countries or ethnic groups. The inflammation measurements were only done on about one-third of participants, making those findings less certain.

The Bottom Line

Based on this research, older adults may benefit from eating more whole plant-based foods like vegetables, fruits, legumes (beans and lentils), nuts, seeds, and whole grains. Focus on minimally processed plant foods rather than processed vegan alternatives. This appears to support both physical and mental wellbeing. Confidence level: Moderate—this shows a strong association, but more research is needed to prove cause and effect.

This research is most relevant to older adults (65+) looking to improve their overall quality of life and wellbeing. It’s also relevant to anyone interested in plant-based eating, as it shows that the quality of plant foods matters. People with chronic inflammation or inflammatory conditions may find this particularly interesting. This doesn’t mean everyone must become vegetarian—the study shows benefits from increasing plant foods, not necessarily eliminating all animal products.

Quality of life improvements from dietary changes typically take weeks to months to become noticeable. Some people may feel more energy or better mood within 2-4 weeks of increasing plant foods, while other benefits may take 2-3 months to become apparent. Inflammation markers in the blood may take 4-8 weeks to show meaningful changes.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track daily servings of whole plant foods (vegetables, fruits, legumes, whole grains, nuts/seeds) with a goal of 8-10 servings daily. Also track weekly quality of life check-ins using a simple 1-10 scale for physical energy and mental mood.
  • Start by adding one extra serving of vegetables or fruits to each meal, and swap one refined grain product for a whole grain option daily. Try one new plant-based recipe weekly. Use the app to log these changes and receive reminders to increase plant food variety.
  • Monitor both dietary adherence (percentage of meals containing whole plant foods) and subjective wellbeing (energy levels, mood, ability to do activities) on a weekly basis. Create a correlation view showing how weeks with higher plant food intake align with reported quality of life improvements.

This study shows an association between plant-based eating and better quality of life in older adults, but does not prove that changing your diet will cause these improvements. Individual results vary based on many factors including overall health, medications, exercise, and genetics. Before making significant dietary changes, especially if you have existing health conditions, take medications, or have nutritional concerns, consult with your healthcare provider or a registered dietitian. This research is not a substitute for professional medical advice.